Cherng Talay teen charged with attempted murder

CHERNG TALAY, PHUKET: Police on Thursday morning held a press conference to announce the arrest of a local youth wanted for shooting a rival gang member in late January.

Cherng Talay Police Inspector for Investigation Tongchai Matitum identified the suspect as 19-year-old Pharuhat Choochit, a resident of Cherng Talay Village 5.

According to the press release, the shooting took place as a result of an ongoing dispute between two groups of young men.

The first group, of which the suspect is a member, hails from Cherng Talay Village 5 and Village 2.

The rival group, of which the victim Wissanu Prateep Na Talang is allegedly a member, comes from Cherng Talay Village 6 and tambon Thepkrasattri Village 4.

The shooting took place at about 7 pm on January 26 during a high-speed motorcycle chase on the Cherng Talay-Ban Don Rd in Ban Pasak, Cherng Talay Village 4.

According to a police press release, members of both gangs exchanged gunfire and the victim was hit in the stomach. His current condition was not reported in the press release.

Cherng Talay Police served Mr Pharuhat with the arrest warrant (Phuket Provincial Court # 192/2552) for attempted murder at his home on Tuesday, March 10.

He was subsequently charged with attempted murder.